A Westmont Elementary School teacher took Columbia County Teacher of the Year honors at a banquet Wednesday in Appling.
Ameesha Butler shed a few celebratory tears as she made her way up to the podium to accept her award.
“Oh my gosh what an incredible feeling. I’m still shaking if that tells you anything. It’s such a tremendous honor, and I already feel like a celebrity,” she said. “I’m just super excited. Words just can’t describe it. Honestly, I’m so excited that I won, and my kids are going to be proud of me … I promised them tomorrow rain or shine we were going to have a celebration or a pity ice cream party. So, it’s a celebration ice cream party and I’m so excited.”
MORE: Columbia County Teacher Finalist: Ameesha Butler
Butler will move on to compete for the state’s Teacher of the Year in February 2023.
The Lakeside High School jazz band played, awards were given to all the district’s school Teachers of the Year and words of congratulations were offered by Board of Education Chairman David Dekle earlier in the ceremony.
Prior to announcing the winner, many people spoke to show their appreciation including Columbia County’s School Superintendent Steven Flynt, who congratulated all teacher finalists and thanked all educators for making a difference in their students’ lives.
“Congratulations to all our teachers of the year. We’re so proud of you and what you represent,” he said. “Thank you for what you do each and every day … the most difference that’s made in this school district happens in your room each and every day.”
Following Flynt and a few others, the district’s 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year, Ashley Fryer, gave a speech about her time as a local “celebrity” and the honor of passing on the torch to another deserving educator.
MORE: Finalists for Columbia County Teacher of the Year named
“It has been an absolute honor to be Columbia County’s Teacher of the Year this past year, and the opportunities that it has provided me are ones that I will never forget,” said Fryer. “It will be an honor to bask in their accomplishments … to whoever may be the next Columbia County Teacher of the Year, may you know what an honor and joy the title is.”
Afterwards, Flynt offered his advice to Butler and how she should approach the next year as the district’s Teacher of the Year.
“I think she just needs to be herself. She received this honor for doing a great job at what she does every day and, just like all our other teachers of the year, we want them to be who they are and be the best teachers they can be,” he said. “We congratulate her as well as all of our other county teachers of the year.”
The award and title included several prizes, the best of which was a donated 2023 BMW M series SUV from Taylor BMW that was topped with a giant pink bow in honor of breast cancer awareness month.
“This is so fancy,” Butler said as she and her husband sat in the new vehicle with smiling faces.
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
